Question 1

When writing a resignation letter to notify your employer of your intentions, you should
A) allow more than the standard two-week notice if you have a high or responsible position within the company.
B) offer thanks and end with a forward-looking statement.
C) remind the employer of your contributions.
D) All answer choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

A resignation letter does all of these. Additionally, your letter may include an offer of assistance to prepare for your departure and a confirmation of the exact date of resignation.

Question 2

The panel interview is the most common format for hiring/placement interviews.

Accepted Answer

One-on-one interviews are most common.

Question 3

No matter what interview structure you encounter, you will feel more comfortable and better prepared if you know what to do before, during, and after the interview.

Accepted Answer

Knowing what to do before, during, and after the interview will help you feel more comfortable and better prepared.

Question 4

If an interviewer asks if you have any questions at the end of an interview, which of the following would not be an appropriate response?
A) May I have a tour of the facilities?
B) When do you expect to make a decision?
C) No, I have no questions right now; I think I am satisfied.
D) What are the major challenges for a person in this position?

Accepted Answer

When an interviewer asks if you have any questions, the worst response is "No" because it suggests that you're not interested in the position.

Question 5

If you have sent out only one résumé or filled out one job application, you must consider yourself an active job seeker.

Accepted Answer

Once you have sent out at least one résumé or filled out at least one job application, you must consider yourself an active job seeker. Being active in the job market means that you must be prepared to be contacted by potential employers.

Question 6

What is the most effective way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an interview?
A) If you find the question harmless and you want the job, go ahead and answer it.
B) Confront the interviewer about the illegal nature of the question.
C) Storm out of the room in anger; after all, you wouldn't work for a company with such low ethics.
D) Refuse to answer the question because it is your legal right to do so.

Accepted Answer

If you find the question harmless and if you want the job, go ahead and answer it. You can also try to deflect the question tactfully by asking how it relates to the responsibilities of the job.

Question 7

Recommended guidelines for completing application forms include which of the following?
A) Disregard questions that do not apply to you by leaving them blank.
B) Read the entire form before beginning to complete it.
C) Ignore misspellings because you are not expected to carry a dictionary.
D) Leave any questions about salary blank since they might limit what you will be paid.

Accepted Answer

Guidelines for filling out application forms include reading the entire form before beginning to complete it. You should also answer all questions and should use accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation on the application form.

Question 8

If something unexpected happens that will cause you to be late to your interview, call the interviewer right away to explain what is happening.

Accepted Answer

If something unexpected happens that will cause you to be late, such as an accident or bridge closure, call the interviewer right away to explain what is happening. Most interviewers will be understanding, and your call will show that you are responsible.

Question 9

Most screening interviews occur on the telephone.

Accepted Answer

Although some screening interviews are conducted during job fairs, on college campuses, online, or during a videoconference, most take place on the telephone.

Question 10

What should you do after the interview?
A) Write a thank-you letter immediately.
B) Wait a few days to see if you hear from the employer; if not, write a thank-you letter.
C) Call the interviewer to thank him or her.
D) Send the interviewer flowers.

Accepted Answer

After the interview immediately write a letter thanking the interviewer for a pleasant and enlightening discussion.

Question 11

The interviewer asks, Describe a time when you worked successfully as a member of a team. Which of the following is the best way to respond?
A) Reply that you have worked successfully as a team member so many times that no particular instance stands out.
B) Say that you enjoy teamwork such as group problem solving but that you also work well independently.
C) Tell a success story about a group project, how you contributed, and what the results were.
D) List the names of the work teams on which you have been a member and stress that all of these teams have been successful.

Accepted Answer

You should respond with a success story that offers a specific example of your teamwork skills. By preparing success stories in advance, you will handle this type of interview question effectively.

Question 12

During your job search you should treat any call from an employer just like an interview.

Accepted Answer

You want to make your first conversation with any employer impressive. This requires you to treat any call from an employer just like an interview.

Question 13

Kendra made a follow-up call to her interviewer five days after the interview. Several weeks later, Kendra has still not heard from the employer. What action should Kendra take now?
A) Assume that no decision has been made yet and that a call could come soon.
B) Send the interviewer a rejection follow-up letter.
C) Show her frustration and determination by calling the employer at least once or twice a day for the next two weeks.
D) Assume that she didn't get the job and continue her job search.

Accepted Answer

Since Kendra made her follow-up call and has heard nothing further for several weeks, she should assume that she didn't get the job and should continue her job search.

Question 14

Don't worry about what information is available about you online because this information is irrelevant to the job search.

Accepted Answer

Many companies that recruit on college campuses are now using Google and Yahoo to screen applicants; therefore, it's important to clean up any "digital dirt" before your job search.

Question 15

If the company is conducting a panel interview, candidates should direct an answer only to the person who asked the question.

Accepted Answer

In answering questions during a panel interview, keep eye contact with the questioner as well as with the other team members.

Question 16

Most employers contact job applicants by e-mail to set up interviews.

Accepted Answer

Even with the popularity of e-mail, most employers contact job applicants by phone to schedule interviews. Employers can get a better sense of how applicants communicate by hearing their voices over the phone. Therefore, once you are actively looking for a job, anytime the phone rings, it could be a potential employer.

Question 17

If the interviewer begins a question with Tell me about a time when you . . . , you should
A) recognize that this is a trick question and tactfully refuse to answer.
B) politely explain that you have never experienced such a situation.
C) make up any answer and wish that you had been better prepared.
D) describe a situation or task, tell what action you took, and emphasize a positive result.

Accepted Answer

This is a behavioral question but it is not a trick. Be prepared with the STAR technique: describe a situation or task, tell what action you took, and emphasize a positive result.

Question 18

Avoid using employee blogs to learn about a company because the information there is usually biased and inaccurate.

Accepted Answer

Blogs can be good sources for company research. Many employees maintain both formal and informal blogs, where they share anecdotes and information about their employers. You can use these blogs to learn about a company's culture, its current happenings, and its future plans. Many job seekers find that they can get a more realistic picture of a company's day-to-day culture by reading blogs than they would by reading news articles or company Web site information.

Question 19

How should you close an interview?
A) Briefly review your strengths, thank the interviewer, and ask what action will follow.
B) Be confident and say, This job sounds great! When do I start work?
C) Ask about salary and benefits.
D) Invite the interviewer to lunch.

Accepted Answer

End your interview by thanking the interviewer, reviewing your strengths for the position, and asking what action will follow.

Question 20

After writing a follow-up letter to thank your interviewer, your next step should be
A) alerting your references that they may be contacted by the employer.
B) sending a small gift to the receptionist to show your sincere appreciation.
C) calling the organization's human resources department to learn more about your competitors for the open position.
D) waiting at least one month for a call of acceptance or rejection.

Accepted Answer

Once you've thanked the interviewer, you should alert your references that the employer may contact them. Sending gifts, calling the human resources department, and waiting one month to hear from the organization are not appropriate.

Quiz 14: Interviewing and Following up

When writing a resignation letter to notify your employer of your intentions, you should

The panel interview is the most common format for hiring/placement interviews.

No matter what interview structure you encounter, you will feel more comfortable and better prepared if you know what to do before, during, and after the interview.

If an interviewer asks if you have any questions at the end of an interview, which of the following would not be an appropriate response?

If you have sent out only one résumé or filled out one job application, you must consider yourself an active job seeker.

What is the most effective way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an interview?

Recommended guidelines for completing application forms include which of the following?

If something unexpected happens that will cause you to be late to your interview, call the interviewer right away to explain what is happening.

Most screening interviews occur on the telephone.

What should you do after the interview?

The interviewer asks, Describe a time when you worked successfully as a member of a team. Which of the following is the best way to respond?

During your job search you should treat any call from an employer just like an interview.

Kendra made a follow-up call to her interviewer five days after the interview. Several weeks later, Kendra has still not heard from the employer. What action should Kendra take now?

Don't worry about what information is available about you online because this information is irrelevant to the job search.

If the company is conducting a panel interview, candidates should direct an answer only to the person who asked the question.

Most employers contact job applicants by e-mail to set up interviews.

If the interviewer begins a question with Tell me about a time when you . . . , you should

Avoid using employee blogs to learn about a company because the information there is usually biased and inaccurate.

How should you close an interview?

After writing a follow-up letter to thank your interviewer, your next step should be